It has been a remarkable weeks of Stakes success for the Darley stallions in Europe and on 12 November, they recorded an incredible third Black type double in just five days when Lord of the Land (Shamardal) and Team Talk (Teofilo) both added to their sires’ impeccable records.
The first Stakes contest of the day at Lingfield was the six-furlong Listed Golden Rose Stakes and it was won in convincing style by Lord of the Land. Racing just off the pace under James Doyle, David O’Meara’s charge was asked for his effort two furlongs out and collared the game Mythmaker to take the lead and win by three quarters of a length. This was his third consecutive victory and his eighth overall.
Lord of the Land was bred by Ammerland Verwaltung and is out of G1 performer Lady Vettori, making him a full brother to dual Classic winner Lope de Vega. Another of his siblings, Bal de la Rose, is the dam of Shamardal filly Blossomtime, who took the Prix Isola Bella at Saint-Cloud earlier this week.
Just over an hour later at Lingfield and it was the turn of Teofilo’s lightly-raced son Team Talk to shine as he came with an astounding late run to take the Listed Churchill Stakes.
Running in the Godolphin blue for Saeed bin Suroor, Team Talk was settled towards the rear under Sean Levey and absolutely flew down the home straight to sweep past his rivals and land the ten-furlong contest by half a length.
Team Talk is out of the unraced Seeking The Gold mare Native Blue, herself a daughter of G1 Prix Saint Alary winner Rosefinch and thus a grandson of the great Oh So Sharp.
Teofilo has now sired 33 horses who have won or placed at Black type level in 2016, headed by G1 winners Palentino, Quest For More and Special Fighter. He has also sired no fewer than seven G1-placed horses in 2016.
Teofilo stands at Kildangan Stud at a fee of €40,000 October 1st SLF.
